I strapped a touchscreen to my MacBook Pro to see if macOS is ready for next week — 3 things that need fixing quickly

In the days leading up to Apple’s ‘Pro and Tell’ event, leaks suggest a paradigm shift in Mac history: the OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro. For years, Apple denied any plans to put a touchscreen on a Mac, citing poor ergonomics and advising users to buy an iPad. However, as OLED technology became more affordable, Apple finally seems to be considering the switch.

However, implementing a touchscreen comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in how macOS handles user input. After testing a touch-enabled MacBook Pro, it’s clear that macOS needs significant software improvements to become truly touch-friendly.

Firstly, macOS treats the finger exactly like a mouse cursor, lacking native touch intelligence. Simple tasks like tapping and scrolling feel natural, but hitting tiny buttons in the window corner is frustrating. Without gesture control, users are forced to navigate menus with precision akin to digital darts. Secondly, macOS needs a dynamic touch state that adapts hitboxes for finger presses instead of trackpad inputs, or introduce iPad-style swipe-to-close or app-switching mechanics.

Lastly, actual multitouch gestures and Apple Pencil support would enhance the experience, especially for creative professionals. While the hardware experience of a touchscreen Mac is promising, the current software actively hinders the user experience. A touch-optimized macOS update, possibly borrowing from iPhone Duo and iPadOS, could redefine how users interact with their computers, potentially catching up to Windows laptops.

Apple’s upcoming OLED MacBook Pro may change the laptop experience, bringing a new level of interaction to the table.